I Read “The Ten Loves of Nishino”…Should You?

The Ten Loves of Nishino is a short Literary Fiction novel about ten women who fall in love with the same man over the course of his life.

Sounds interesting enough, right?

But, should you read it?

Let’s find out.

The answer might be yes, IF –

1. You’re Okay With Non-Linear Narratives

Does it bug you when a story is told non-sequentially? If so, do yourself a solid and skip this one.

Though, this might be a contender if you favor, or are unbothered by, non-linear narratives.

2. You Don’t Mind Multi-Perspective Stories

Book Spotlight: The Benefits of Being An Octopus (Middle Grade Fiction Novel)

I can’t figure it out!

I read The Benefits of Being an Octopus book months ago, and have wanted to talk about it since then but I just can not figure out how to.

Have you ever desperately wanted to express something, then opened your mouth to speak on it, and all of a sudden your thoughts jam?

(Brain jam…is that a thing? If not, let’s coin a new phrase.)

Well, that’s how this has been for me.

I don’t think I’ll ever have the right words, and again, it’s been months, so here goes nothing.

Heads Up: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I could earn a small fee, at no additional cost to you.

The Benefits of Being An Octopus (by Ann Braden)

♥ It’s a Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Novel.

♥ It gives us a peek into poverty and the family struggles that follow.

My Very First Reread: Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Esperanza Rising is one of my favorite books, though I’ve only read it once, 6 years ago.

A Brief Synopsis

Esperanza Rising is a riches to rags tale where we follow our protagonist Esperanza Ortega, 12 year old daughter of Sixto Ortega, a wealthy rancher in 1920’s Mexico.

One fateful day, Sixto is killed by bandits.

During this time in Mexico, only men are permitted to own land. And after Sixto is killed, his two corrupt step-brothers approach his widow, Ramona, and offer to marry her, so that she may stay with the land.

She refuses.

Fearing retaliation for their public embarrassment, and penniless, she and Esperanza flee to the United States to a work camp for migrant workers.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

We continue following Esperanza’s experience from here.

A Little Background on My Rereading Experience

I’d never reread a book, until now. With so many good books on my TBR that I have yet to read, compounded with the fact that I read like a turtle, I couldn’t make a case for revisiting a book I’d already read, no matter how much I enjoyed it.

But this time was different.

Book Review: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger

There is some plotting though not the exhilarating, wild ride, kind. Rather it’s the slow down and savor the story, kind.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis (No Spoilers)

**Title:** Virgil Wander | **Author:** Leif Enger | **Published:** 2018

In the old mining town of Greenstone, Minnesota – Virgil Wander accidentally drives off a snowy road, into Lake Superior.

Fortunately his only injuries are: a concussion, and being unable to recall most of his adjectives.

Told in first person perspective, we follow Virgil as he: recovers, rekindles old friendships, makes new ones, and manages his movie theater: The Empress.

See the official synopsis…

What I Liked

Book Review: A Heart in a Body in the World (Realistic Fiction YA Novel)

A searing, raw, honest, and unflinching portrait and exploration of grief.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis

Book Cover of A Heart In A Body In The World, by Deb Caletti, a Young Adult Fiction Novel. — **Title:** A Heart In A Body In The World | **Author**: Deb Caletti | **Genre**: Young Adult Fiction | **Year Published**: 2018

17 year old Annabelle Agnelli has been through something BIG. So big that it’s upended her entire world.

Grieving, she decides to run from Seattle to Washington, DC.

Why? Because she has to do something.

Anything.

She runs because she’s tired of sitting still.

She runs because she has to keep on living.

Read the official synopsis…

Book Review: Scythe (YA Dystopian Fiction Novel)

Scythe features fascinating world-building and presents thought-provoking questions about the possible repercussions of human immortality.

Have you ever heard of this novel? If not, well allow me to bring you up to speed. Spoiler-free of course.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis

**Title**: Scythe | **Author:** Neal Shusterman | **Published**: 2017

Set in the near-future, natural death has become a thing of past. As have war, hunger, and disease.

The Cloud is in control and provides for everyone’s needs from food to employment, housing, education, and anything else that may be required.

But this new reality must be preserved, and the population must not get out of hand, therefore, people still need to die.

Instead of by natural causes, death now comes by trained killers called Scythes. And two new apprentices have been chosen.

We follow teenagers Citra and Rowan, as they learn the art of kill-craft and discover what it truly means to be a Scythe.

Here’s the official synopsis…

Book Review: Kumquat (A Rom-Com)

If you want to laugh out loud or if you like awkward, quirky characters, then this book might be for you.

But before we get in to the review, let me tell you what it’s about. Spoiler-free, of course.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis

Kumquat by Jeff Strand, A Book Review — **Title:** Kumquat | **Author:** Jeff Strand | **Genre:** Comedy, Romantic Comedy | **Published:** 2014

Would you take a road trip with someone you just met?

35 year old Todd certainly wouldn’t.

Todd plays life safe – content with a run of the mill job, unemployed-gamer roommate, and failed love life. That is, until he meets Amy at the Worst Film Festival of the Century.

She’s cute, quirky, and funny. She also doesn’t have much time to live.

Amy convinces Todd to step out of his comfort zone and the duo embark upon a 22 hour cross-country trip for an infamous hot dog.

Will they get their hot dog before her time runs out?

Also – there may or may not be giant gummy bear tractors, men with hooks for hands, suspicious looking hitchhikers, ornery old ladies, stolen or damaged property, a hospital stay, and some vomiting. Maybe.

A quirky, hilarious, and entertaining read.

Read an excerpt…